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Dawna Markova  

Co-author of "Collaborative Intelligence," CEO of Professional Thinking Partners and Speaker on Intellectual Diversity

Dr. Dawna Markova is co-founder and CEO Emeritus of Professional Thinking Partners. An inspirational speaker, writer, researcher, and teacher, she is internationally known for her asset-focused work in the fields of perception, learning, and identifying core cognitive competencies. She has developed a dynamic approach to recognizing intellectual diversity and maximizing intellectual capital. Dawna is a former Senior Affiliate of the Organizational Learning Center at MIT and a consultant member of the Society for Organizational Learning, founded the Institute for Human Ecology, and has served as faculty member at the Union Institute, Lesley and Antioch Graduate Schools

In addition to "Collaborative Intelligence" and the forthcoming Random House book "Relational Intelligence," Dawna is the author of "Wide Open," "A Spot of Grace," "I Will Not Die an Unlived Life," "The Smart Parenting Revolution," "The Open Mind" book and audio series, "No Enemies Within," "How Your Child IS Smart," and "Learning Unlimited."

Dawna has been given the Vision in Action award for her work originating the Random Acts of Kindness movement, the Foster Grand-parenting and Peer Counseling programs, the World Wide Women’s Web, the Institute for Human Ecology, and the on-line SmartWired Program, which has been translated into seven languages and offered in 42 countries.

A long-term cancer survivor (she was told she had six months to live almost thirty years ago), Dawna has been a frequent keynote speaker and has delivered presentations to many organizations around the world.

Speech Topics


Shifting from a Market-Share to a Mind-Share Mentality

Leaders, now more than ever, are faced with complex problems that need innovative solutions. Audiences will learn how to aim their attention, intention and imagination to build their Collaborative Intelligence, which in turn will create forward momentum and new possibilities.

The Three Kinds of Inquiry

With every great new idea there are questions, and everyone frames questions and considers possibilities differently. Audiences will learn how using and understanding the three types of inquiry can lead you and your team to build your Collaborative Intelligence and discover the next big breakthrough.

Great Minds Don’t Think Alike But They Can Learn to Think Together

The question is not “Are you smart?” but “How are you smart?” Dawna Markova and Angie McArthur dive into how understanding different patterns of thinking, learning and communicating can lead you to grow your Collaborative Intelligence and foster more “aha!” moments.

Collaborative Intelligence: Thinking with People Who Think Differently

The key to collaborating effectively is respecting "intellectual diversity," the ways in which we think and process information differently. Each of us brings unique and varied thinking talents to the table, and when we understand intellectual diversity, we can work together more effectively. Through fascinating exercises and revealing case studies, Dawna Markova and Angie McArthur teach audiences how to discover their own unique mind patterns and thinking talents, and how to recognize the same in others.

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